These socks are the second sock featured in my eBook, Cat’s Sweet Tomato Heel Socks. You may buy the patterns as singles for $6 each, or for $20 you can buy the whole eBook and will receive all 9 designs (one of which is exclusive to the eBook, not to be released as a single). To buy the eBook rather than this single pattern, click “Cat’s Sweet Tomato Heel Socks” at the top of the page under “Published in”. The eBook will arrive in installments, like a slow-release vitamin — initially the cover, table of contents, the foundation lessons, and three socks (Zebra Socks, Hidden Treasure Pocket Socks, and Minnesota Moonlight). Approximately every month I’ll add one new sock (as an automatic digital update) until the book finally completes itself with all 9 designs.

The eBook is laid out in the style of my print books, with lots of illustrations, photos, charts, schematics, line-by-line instructions, and now for the first time, live video links. You can print just the pages needed for a pattern, or work beside a laptop or iPad (which also allows charts and images to be stretched so details pop).

Hidden Treasure Pocket Socksmay be knit toe-up or top-down, are easily fitted to any shape foot, and are a good introduction to the Sweet Tomato Heel (you can always leave off the pockets if you wish; then you will have a simple ribbed sock). If you make all four pockets, you can actually fit a cell phone, credit cards, and cash in your socks, and won’t need to carry a purse. The hidden pockets use the easy insertion method from my 2009 book, Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters, and may be worked with leftover yarn.

My Sweet Tomato Heel emerged last winter after several days of sitting beside the wood stove with my mother while trying to fiddle my way towards a new short-row heel. I’d given up several times when almost unconsciously, I did a small thing—and just like that, the clean heel of my dreams existed. This small thing closes gaps without holes, wraps, or acrobatics. The heel is rhythmic to work and nearly perfectly smooth, like a tomato. Best of all, once the process is understood, a knitter needs no written instructions.

Please join my new group,Cat’s Sweet Tomato Heels, for discussion and answers to any questions you may have.